Heavy equipment handler

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is disclosed for lifting and supporting articles during movement from place to place. The apparatus is supported by the chassis of a vehicle and includes a boom, hydraulic cylinder means to elevate and lower the boom, a winch and a box rest for supporting the lifted article. A pulley is mounted at the end of the boom and a cable adapted to be wound upon a winch drum is trained over the pulley. The box rest is so positioned on the chassis to readily receive and support the article which is lifted through joint action of the boom and winch.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,891,103

Harris et al. 1 June 24, 1975 [54] HEAVY EQUIPMENT HANDLER 3.4(14792 10/1968 Fricberg 214/80 3.432.052 3/1969 214/75 R X 1 Inventors: James ams; Pamk Regan, 3.452.887 7/1969 Larsen etal. 1. 214/80 c/o Legal p -1 The Ananconda 1638,804 2/1972 Blakeway et a]... 214/77 R x Company. both of Butte, Mont. 3,730.362 5/1973 Hurlburt et a]. 214/142 X 5970l 22] Filed: No 2 1973 Primary ExaminerRobe rt J. Spar Assistant Exammer-Leshe .l. Paperner 1211 Appl. 190.; 412,408

[57] ABSTRACT [52] 214/75 H; 212/8 R; 213/130 R; Apparatus is disclosed for lifting and supporting arti- 14/77 R cles during movement from place to place. The appa- [5 l IIBI. B60p ratus is Supported y the chassis of a vehicle and new of Search 214/ 75 77 cludes a boom; hydraulic cylinder means to elevate 214/78' 86 130 212/8 9 and lower the boom. 21 winch and a box rest for supporting the lifted article. A pulley is mounted at the [56] References C'ted end of the boom and a cable adapted to be wound UNITED STATE PATENTS upon a winch drum is trained over the pulley. The box 2.41 1.022 11/1946 Botnick 212/9 X rest is so positioned on the chassis to readily receive 2.433598 12/1947 Chadwick 214/77 R and support the article which is lifted through joint ac- 3,()49 249 8/1962 Dcmpster ct ul 1. 214/77 R tion of the boom and winch. -111951199 6/1963 Costello 214 77 R 33131431 4/1967 Kelly 214/138 c 1 Claim, 4 Drawlng Flgures l| '6 E '1 92 I12 I 1T0 1s" a H EA VY EQUIPMENT HANDLER The present invention relates to apparatus for moving articles from place to place. The apparatus has par tieular adaptation in the loading and transportation of switch boxes which serve to feed electric current to shovels and drills used in mining operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Switch boxes generally are rather heavy pieces of apparatus. It is not uncommon that a switch box which supplies power to mining equipment weigh in the neighborhood of two and one-half to three tons. The weight and the bulk of the gear has resulted in the introduction of problems in connection with the required relocation ofthe same as the powered shovels and drills are moved in the mining operation. Generally, move ment of a switch box has required several pieces of apparatus and additional manpower. To this end, the switch box has been loaded oftentimes on a flat-bed truck for hauling from one location to another. A loader or an equivalent piece of apparatus was necessary to carry out this operation.

The practice typically ties up unnecessarily both the apparatus and manpower, each of which might otherwise be engaged in more productive tasks.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the above-noted problem in the manner and means of transporting switch boxes or other heavy pieces of apparatus from location to location. Without any intent to limit but rather to disclose an operative application of the invention, the description to follow will pertain to use of the inventive structure in the movement of switch boxes, one of many applications of the invention. Thus, in an important aspect the present invention provides on a powered vehicle a live boom assembly which is movably mounted on the vehicle for raising a switch box to and lowering the same from a box rest. The box rest is carried by the vehicle in position to readily receive the switch gear upon movement of the boom. Preferably, the live boom assembly is positioned at the rear on a flat bed portion of the vehicle. The assembly includes at least one hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder is positioned between the boom and the vehicle-for movement of the boom about a mount. The boom carries a pulley at the end opposite the mount. A winch including a cable having an end hook or the equivalent is supported by the pulley and through power to the winch may raise a switch box from the ground to support the same on the box rests. A bracket serving to protect the hydraulic cylinder from being struck by the switch gear being lifted is mounted to the underside of the live boom assembly.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course. additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may be readily utilized as-a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes ofthe invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing forms a part of the present application. By this drawing which illustrates a preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the vehicle, the live boom assembly and winch mechanism to raise a switch box to and lower the same from a box rest as sembly carried by the vehicle; v

FIG. 2 is a side elevation illustrating partially the FIG.

I structure; 1

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the box rest assembly;

and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view as seen along the line 44 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus for moving switch boxes may be seen to best advantage in FIGS. 1 and 2. These figures illustrate a vehicle 10 having a chassis or frame providing a forward cab section 12 and terminating in a rearward flat-bed section including a portion 14 and a portion 14 movable about the pivot joint 15. The vehicle may be conventionally supported, such as by means of tires 16 and driven through front and/or rear axle drive.

A live boom assembly 30 is supported by the flat-bed section. The assembly includes a pair of spaced side members 32,34. The members may be formed by generally rectangular channel beams or members. The channel members are supported in spaced relation along their length. At one end, the channel members are spaced by a distance equal to the width of the flatbed for purposes of mounting. The members converge toward an apex and are joined together at the other end thereby to form substantially a triangular boom construction. The boom members are supported along their length by support braces, such as braces 36,38. The support braces also maintain a spatial relation between the members. Additional braces, as desired, may be employed. A plate 40 may be welded or otherwise mounted over the members to secure the end. An elongated member 39 is carried by braces between the channels. The elongated member is disposed in vertical orientation and together with the channels support a plurality of stiffeners 41. This construction assures that the live boom will have required structural strength for the designed usage.

A pulley housing 42 may be supported by the plate. A pulley 44 and a supporting axle 46 are disposed in the housing. Preferably, the plate will provide a longitudinal slit to accommodate rotation of the pulley and passage of a cable 48 therethrough.

A pair of boom support members 50,52 are carried on opposed sides of the flat-bed portion of the vehicle. Each support member is in the form of a plate having a dome portion 54 apertured at 56. A side portion 58 which may be integral with or secured to the plate depends to a position below the flat-bed. The box rest, to be described, is secured to the side portions within their lower reaches. The support members may be bolted, welded, or by any other method, mounted to the flatbed.

Each channel member provides an opening at the mounting end. Thus, individual pins or a rod to traverse the flat-bed may be received by the openings and the channels, secured at the fulcrum by means such as a collar (not shown).

The box rest 60 may be seen to best advantage in FIG. 3. The box rest is formed by a U-shaped member having sides 62,64 and a rear section 66. The sections may be integral or connected in any suitable manner. and in turn mounted to the side portions below the flatbed. Transverse stability is introduced by the triangular shaped cross member 68. One leg surface of the member is mounted on the upper side sections in a manner that the other leg surface of the member is directed rearwardly. The rearward surface of the member functions as a forward stop for apparatus which is received by the box rests. The apparatus may be positioned laterally by the opposed outturned flanges 72,74.

Bracket members such U-bolts 76,78 (only one seen) support the individual sides of the box rest. These brackets are secured to the under side of the flat-bed section and surround the sides as illustrated in FIG. 2. In this manner, the box rest will be supported in both end and middle locations thereby to receive a heavy load at the other or outer end. Opposed pairs of divergent wings 80, at the inner end, assist in overcoming any turning movement of the box rest when subjected to a load.

A pair of hydraulic cylinders 90,92 effect raising and lowering of the boom. To this end, each cylinder may be attached as at 92 to the flat bed. Each piston rod may be attached at 94 to the boom. A boss, a clevis and pin arrangement may be used in mounting the hydraulic cylinder and piston rod. The hydraulic control including a hydraulic line to the cylinder is not shown and may be considered conventional. A plate 100 is supported on the underside of the channel members 32,34. The bosses are carried by the plate.

Plates 102,104 depend from the underside of the boom in the central region. The plates extend generally perpendicular to the plate 100, are positioned in spaced relation between the hydraulic cylinders, and extend to a location thereby to shadow the cylinders in side view. The plates serve the function of providing an abutment thereby to protect the cylinders from damage due to jarring contact of equipment during movement of the live boom. Additional side members could likewise be mounted laterally of sides 102,104 to provide side protection for the cylinders. One or more cross members 105 maintain plate spacing.

As discussed, the present invention has particular utility in moving switch gear from one location to another during mining operations. The switch gear 110 may be encased in a cage 112. The cage includes a frame structure supported by sled runners and providing apertured bosses at the upper corners. A length of cable or chain is connected at one end in an aperture boss and at the other to a ring adapted to be engaged by a hook on the cable 48. Power to a winch 114 carried on the chassis will wind the cable on the drum thereby to lift the switch gear. The switch gear may readily and with minimum effort be positioned on the box rest for movement as the occasion requires. The switch gear will be disposed on the side sections 62,64 and positioned by the abutment 68 and the outturned flanges 72,74.

Thus, a single piece of equipment with a minimum requirement of manpower may be employed in relocat ing switch gear for use in mining operations.

When the live boom is not in operation. the cable may be hooked to a turnbuckle and the winch drawn tight. The turnbuckle may be mounted on the rear of the flat bed. During non-operation. the live boom will be in the lowered position determined by the stop 122.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that in accordance with the present invention there is provided improved means and apparatus for moving switch gear from one location to another during a mining operation.

Having described the invention with particular reference to a preferred form thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. In combination, a vehicle including a chassis, hoist means mounted on said chassis for lifting an article. said hoist means comprising an elongated boom including a pair of side members, a pair of support members. one of said support members being mounted on one side of said chassis and the other of said support members being mounted on the other side of said chassis, both support members having a portion extending above said chassis, means for pivotally mounting one end of each of said side members to said upper extend ing portions of respective ones of said support members, a pulley, each of said side members extending relative to the other in converging relation toward an apex, means connecting said converged ends of said side members and said pulley, winch means mounted on said chassis, said winch means including a cable having securing means at one end and connected at the other end to a drum of said winch means. said cable being trained over said pulley to be let out and drawn up by said winch means, pressure responsive means including at least one pressurizable cylinder and a pressure responsive member carried by and movable relative to said cylinder, said pressure responsive means connected between said chassis and said elongated boom and controlled to cause said side members to pivot about said support members so that pivotal movement of said elongated boom in concert with operation of said winch means will result in movement of said article through space, protection means carried by said elongated boom, said protection means including at least one plate cooperable with each pressure responsive means, each plate extending from said elongated boom in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane including said pivot points, each plate extending outwardly of said elongated boom beyond the disposition of said pressurizable cylinder for protecting the same against contact by said article when lifted, and a support frame for supporting said article, said support frame including a pair of spaced parallel arms. an element connecting said arms at one end, positioning means on said support frame providing abuttments against the movement of said supported article on said support frame. said support members having a portion extending below said chassis, and means mounting said support frame to said chassis so that said arms extend rearwardly thereof and in alignment with movement of said boom, said mounting means including a lower extending portion of said side members connected to said spaced arms. 

1. In combination, a vehicle including a chassis, hoist means mounted on said chassis for lifting an article, said hoist means comprising an elongated boom including a pair of side members, a pair of support members, one of said support members being mounted on one side of said chassis and the other of said support members being mounted on the other side of said chassis, both support members having a portion extending above said chassis, means for pivotally mounting one end of each of said side members to said upper extending portions of respective ones of said support members, a pulley, each of said side members extending relative to the other in converging relation toward an apex, means connecting said converged ends of said side members and said pulley, winch means mounted on said chassis, said winch means including a cable having securing means at one end and connected at the other end to a drum of said winch means, said cable being trained over said pulley to be let out and drawn up by said winch means, pressure responsive means including at least one pressurizable cylinder and a pressure responsive member carried by and movable relative to said cylinder, said pressure responsive means connected between said chassis and said elongated boom and controlled to cause said side members to pivot about said support members so that pivotal movement of said elongated boom in concert with operation of said winch means will result in movement of said article through space, protection means carried by said elongated boom, said protection means including at least one plate cooperable with each pressure responsive means, each plate extending from said elongated boom in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane including said pivot points, each plate extending outwardly of said elongated boom beyond the disposition of said pressurizable cylinder for protecting the same against contact by said article when lifted, and a support frame for supporting said article, said support frame including a pair of spaced parallel arms, an element connecting said arms at one end, positioning means on said support frame providing abuttments against the movement of said supported article on said support frame, said support members having a portion extending below said chassis, and means mounting said support frame to said chassis so that said arms extend rearwardly thereof and in alignment with movement of said boom, said mounting means including a lower extending portion of said side members connected to said spaced arms. 